An Evaluation of Food Wastes in Supplier-Retailer Interface: Evidences from UK and India.

Purpose – The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the causes of food waste in supplier-retailer interface. The objective is to identify good practices for suppliers and retailers so that food waste can be minimised. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative method was used for this study. Data was collected using 21 semi structured telephonic interviews from UK and India. In each case, data related to the seven manufacturing waste of lean principles were collected and analysed. A Current Reality Tree was developed for both countries so as to identify the root causes of food waste. Comparative analysis was done between India and UK after developing the CRTs. Findings – Some of the causes of waste were similar for both the countries: forecasting issues, damage due to fluctuating weather conditions, no proper storage available in small scale retailers and expiry dates. Specific causes of waste of India were: lack of awareness of waste, relation between buyer and seller is based more on trust, transportation issues due to bad infrastructure and lack of temperature controlled vehicles, difference in quality standards for export products and farmer’s lack of knowledge and expertise. The particular causes of waste in UK were: supermarkets dominate the supply chain and damage due to lack of expertise. Originality/value – The study proposed good practices to suggest how farmers, wholesalers and retailers can minimise food waste in terms of the seven manufacturing waste of lean. The practices involve the use of knowledge by companies in the supplier retailer interface to streamline their processes by minimising the non-value adding activities from their supply chain. Keywords: Food supply Chain, Suppliers, Retailers, Interaction, Lean, Semi structured interview